There's a word you hear a lot at M.S. 22 in Morrisania: RORS. It's a cute slogan, because the school's mascot is the tiger. But it's also an acronym for a code of conduct: Respectful, Organized, Responsible and Safe.

This mantra shows up on posters throughout the school emblazoned with an orange tiger. But six weeks into the school year, the students needed a little reminder. Last month, assemblies were held for each grade on the meaning of ROARS. During one for the sixth graders, principal Edgar Lin played a cartoon showing ants working together to prevent being sucked up by an anteater as an example of teamwork.

"What we're working to get kids to understand is that we are a team here," he said afterward. "Adults are your coaches, you're the players."

There's a lot of pressure for this team to perform. M.S. 22 is in the city's Renewal program. It's been struggling for years. Only 6 percent of its students were proficient on their state English tests this year, and the percentage was even lower in math. M.S. 22 is also on the state's list of Persistently Struggling Schools. It must show improvement by June or it could be taken over by an outside receiver.

Educators know a safe and orderly environment is critical for students to learn, which is why Lin and his staff take RORS seriously. They said there was no single incident or problem that precipitated the school assemblies. Instead, resets like this are typically needed before the holiday season to maintain a good learning environment. Schoolwork gets harder, kids get a little bit rowdier and some of them stop wearing their uniforms. There's also something in the air around this time of year.

"They know it's . . . almost time for Christmas," said social studies teacher Michele Barrow, who's worked at the school for more than 25 years. "So they get very excited."

The teachers said some of the kids have trouble paying attention and can mouth off occasionally. But this is a huge improvement. Five years ago, before Lin took over, 113 kids were suspended from school — 18 percent of all students. This year, he said only about five had been suspended by mid December. And attendance has gone up 4.5 points since last year, 93 percent.

Being in the Renewal program means the school has some extra supports now. It's got a longer school-day, more professional development around literacy in particular and it's been partnered with the organization Sheltering Arms, which hired a full-time social worker and is taking students on field trips. It also got a makeover with the help of the students.

While the kids still have a long way to go, academically, staff members and parents believe the environment is now much more conducive to learning. Or as Lin often says, "We've got this."